As a sophomore in high school, Lenae spent $300 for a studio session that would ultimately produce her first single, "Greetings." Soon after, in 2015, she was featured on Monte Booker’s song, "Baby." Booker and Lenae along with rapper, Smino, formed the original core of the music collective, Zero Fatigue, which was brought together by Chris "Classick" Innumerable at his recording studio, Classick Studios. Lenae's first EP, Moon Shoes, was originally released as a free download in August 2015, but was later reissued by Atlantic Records and the Three Twenty Three Music Group in 2016. It drew praise from critics for her "fluid vocals and spare, poetic lyrics."
In 2016, Lenae was officially signed to Atlantic Records. She also appeared as a featured performer on Mick Jenkins' album The Healing Component and on Noname's song "Forever." She would go on to tour with and open for Noname on her Telefone Tour from January to March 2017. Lenae also performed at WBEZ's Winter Block Party alongside fellow members of the underground collective Medicine Woman: Drea Smith, Via Rosa, and Jean Deau.
She released her second EP Midnight Moonlight on March 3, 2017. Later that month, she performed at SXSW, was featured on Smino's "Glass Flows," and was listed by Rolling Stone as one of "10 New Artists You Need to Know." In the following three months, she would go on to perform at several other festivals, including Mamby on the Beach in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood and Culture Shock in Purchase, New York. Beginning in August 2017, Lenae opened for SZA on her Ctrl Tour. The tour ended in December 2017. On February 9, she released her third EP, entirely produced by Steve Lacy, titled Crush.
On February 1, 2022, she released Skin Tight with Steve Lacy, the first single of her debut album, Hypnos. Following, she released her debut album on May 20, 2022. Featuring vocals and production from Monte Booker, Steve Lacy, KAYTRANAD , Fousheé, Mereba, Smino, Sango, Luke Titus, IAMNOBODI, Phoelix and Teo Halm.
Sticky
Ravyn Lenae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got me confused
Spinning, spinning, round and round
Sticky, sticky, off the ground
Slipping til you let me drown
Hate me then you love me now
You got me wondering where this going
Where the phone went, not who I'm in love with
You got me wondering why you roaming
Something to it (why why) but it ain't lil lonely
You know I cannot shake ya
You know I cannot break ya
You only fool me then you lose me
Then right back I take ya
You know we're bad together
You don't want this forever
Then I look stupid, call me foolish
But I'll do whatever
What did you do?
Looking confused
Spinning, spinning, round and round
Sticky, sticky, off the ground
Slipping til you let me drown
Hate me then you love me now
Let's play, let's pretend
I could have my way
What you gonna say
If I ever walk away?
Let's play, let's pretend
You could treat me fair
Maybe you won't scare me
Maybe you would care
You know I'd wait for you
And stay away from you
I'd stick around when things are falling down
I need a reason for me to leave him
Zigzag, circus
I don't know that sticky-icky is the potion
(sticky-icky, sti-sticky-icky)
What did you do? (What did you do?)
Looking confused (Got me confused, I'm confused)
Spinning, spinning, round and round
Sticky, sticky, off the ground
Slipping til you let me drown
Hate me then you love me now
(Why won't you love me now?)
The song "Sticky" by Ravyn Lenae appears to be about a situation that leaves the singer feeling stuck and confused. The opening lines suggest that the singer has been thrown for a loop by something that has happened, and that they are struggling to make sense of it. The lyrics "Got me confused / Spinning, spinning, round and round" seem to convey a sense of disorientation and uncertainty. The word "sticky" appears repeatedly throughout the song, and seems to connote a sense of being trapped or held back in some way.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "Sticky, sticky, off the ground / Slipping til you let me drown / Hate me then you love me now," which suggests that the singer is caught in some sort of emotional rollercoaster. They feel as though they are slipping, but are unable to break free. The lines "Hate me then you love me now" suggest that the person causing the confusion is sending mixed signals, and that the singer is struggling to understand their true intentions.
Throughout the song, the singer seems to be grappling with whether or not to stay in this situation. The lyrics "Let's play, let's pretend / I could have my way / What you gonna say / If I ever walk away?" suggest that the singer is considering leaving, but is not sure if that is the right choice. The repeated refrain of "What did you do?" also suggests that the singer is struggling to understand what has happened, and whether they should stay or go.
Line by Line Meaning
What did you do?
Asking what actions caused the confusing and dizzying situation they find themselves in.
Got me confused
Admitting that the singer is unsure of the other person's intentions and feels bewildered.
Spinning, spinning, round and round
The confusion and uncertainty is causing the singer to feel lightheaded and dizzy.
Sticky, sticky, off the ground
The situation feels sticky and difficult to move out of, like being stuck and unable to gain traction.
Slipping til you let me drown
Without clear communication and guidance from the other person, the artist feels like they are slipping and struggling to stay afloat in the situation.
Hate me then you love me now
The other person's feelings for the singer seem to fluctuate between love and hate, making it hard for the singer to understand where they stand.
You got me wondering where this going
Expressing uncertainty about the future of the relationship and where it's headed.
Where the phone went, not who I'm in love with
Feeling like the other person is more concerned with material possessions than their actual connection and feelings for the artist.
You got me wondering why you roaming
Questioning why the other person is not fully committed or present in the relationship.
Something to it (why why) but it ain't lil lonely
Despite the confusing nature of the situation, there is some desirable aspect to it that keeps the artist interested, but it's not worth feeling lonely or neglected for.
You know I cannot shake ya
Admitting that the singer is unable to let go of the other person despite the confusion and frustration they are feeling.
You know I cannot break ya
Acknowledging that the other person is a hard nut to crack and the artist is unable to fully understand or influence them.
You only fool me then you lose me
The other person seems to play games and manipulate the singer, causing them to lose interest and trust.
Then right back I take ya
Despite the previous heartbreak and manipulation, the singer is prone to taking the other person back and giving them another chance.
You know we're bad together
Despite the attraction and strong feelings between the two, the relationship is not healthy or sustainable.
You don't want this forever
Recognizing that the other person may not be interested in a long-term, committed relationship.
Then I look stupid, call me foolish
Knowing that others may judge the artist for their choices and perceived lack of self-respect.
But I'll do whatever
Despite the risks and potential for heartbreak, the singer is committed to staying with the other person and making the relationship work.
Let's play, let's pretend
Proposing a hypothetical situation where things are different and the relationship is more stable.
I could have my way
Expressing a desire to have more control and stability in the relationship.
What you gonna say
Asking the other person how they would react to this hypothetical scenario.
If I ever walk away?
Suggesting that the artist may consider leaving the relationship if things don't improve.
You could treat me fair
Expressing a desire for the other person to treat them with respect and kindness.
Maybe you won't scare me
Hoping that the other person won't continue to play games and cause the artist to feel scared or insecure in the relationship.
Maybe you would care
Hoping for more emotional investment and care from the other person in the relationship.
You know I'd wait for you
Acknowledging that the singer is willing to be patient and wait for the other person to commit or reciprocate their feelings.
And stay away from you
Despite the strong feelings, the singer recognizes the toxicity of the relationship and may need to distance themselves for their own well-being.
I'd stick around when things are falling down
Expressing a sense of loyalty and commitment to the other person even during difficult times.
I need a reason for me to leave him
Admitting that leaving the relationship may be difficult without a clear reason or catalyst for doing so.
Zigzag, circus
Describing the relationship as chaotic and unpredictable, like a circus performance or a zigzagging line.
I don't know that sticky-icky is the potion
Reflecting on the confusing and dizzying effects of the relationship, suggesting that it may not be the best or healthiest choice.
(sticky-icky, sti-sticky-icky)
Repeating a phrase that seems to represent the intoxicating but confusing nature of the relationship.
Why won't you love me now?
Expressing frustration and confusion about the other person's fluctuating feelings and inability to commit to a stable relationship.
Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.